SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When D-backs left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had surgery to repair the ACL in his right knee last September, his return was expected to be two months into the 2026 regular season.
Gurriel's recovery, however, has progressed ahead of schedule, and the first thing he said to manager Torey Lovullo when he saw him this spring was that he planned on being ready for Opening Day.
Lovullo doubts that is a realistic possibility, but it certainly appears that Gurriel will be back sooner than initially thought, though the club will be cautious in its approach.
"I know what he's saying, and I mean, I love him for that, and I want him to continue progressing," Lovullo said. "But we've got to be really careful with Lourdes. We don't want him to come back too soon and have a flareup or inflammation, and now he's playing catchup through the early months of his return."
Gurriel has been swinging the bat and has begun running the bases -- all positive signs in his recovery.
"I prepared really well and had a good offseason," Gurriel said. "I'm just going to leave [my return] in the hands of the medical team to make those decisions."
Speaking of injuries
Adrian Del Castillo's left calf injury will most likely keep him out of action until right around the end of Spring Training, all but ruling him out for the Opening Day roster.
Del Castillo, a catcher by trade, was in the mix to make the team and see some time as the designated hitter -- but at least initially, the Diamondbacks will look elsewhere.
The D-backs plan to use the DH spot as a way of giving players a break from playing in the field while still keeping their bat in the lineup. That means second baseman Ketel Marte could see some time there.
Other candidates include Pavin Smith, who will split time at first base with newly signed veteran Carlos Santana, who could also see time there. Nolan Arenado may get some at-bats in that spot, and it's possible the team could use the role to ease Gurriel back into action when he's ready to come back.
"I could be a little bit creative there," Lovullo said. "I don't know, we're gonna look for people to emerge."
Measuring up
Diamondbacks players had their heights measured for the ABS Challenge System, which will be implemented throughout baseball this year.
It was the position players who were measured as well as pitcher Ryne Nelson, who Lovullo designated as his emergency pinch-hitter if needed.
Nelson pinch-hit for the Diamondbacks in the eighth inning of a March 30 game against the Cubs last year, and he drove in a run as part of an eight-run inning that led Arizona to a comeback win.
"He did a great job last year," Lovullo said. "Definitely saved us."